ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
LT GEN CP Mohanty takes over as Vice Chief of the Army Staff
Lieutenant General Chandi Prasad Mohanty, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM assumed the appointment of the Vice Chief of the Army Staff on 01 February 2021.
An alumnus of Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun, National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Lt Gen CP Mohanty was commissioned into the Rajput Regiment on 12 Jun 1982. In a career spanning four decades, the General officer served across a wide spectrum of conflicts and terrain profiles and tenanted a host of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments. He commanded a battalion on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and later in the North East. He has the unique distinction of commanding two brigades: first on the Line of Actual Control and later on, the multinational UN Brigade in Democratic Republic of Congo. He later commanded the Rangiya based Division in a counter insurgency environment and the Sikkim based Trishakti Corps immediately after the Doklam incident. The General officer also has a unique distinction of commanding two Administrative formations as well: the Jodhpur Sub Area as a Major General & Uttar Bharat Area as a Lieutenant General.
An alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College Wellington, Higher Defence Management Course Secunderabad and the National Defence College New Delhi, the General Officer’s staff and instructional assignments include an instructional tenure at NDA, Brigade Major of an Armoured Brigade, Military Advisor in Seychelles, Colonel Military Secretary  in the MS Branch, Brigadier General Staff  of a Corps in the Eastern Theatre and Director General, Operational Logistics and Strategic Movement.
Lt Gen CP Mohanty takes over the appointment of the Vice Chief of the Army Staff from Lt Gen SK Saini who superannuated on 31 January 2021 after completing four decades of illustrious career in the Army.
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Ministry of Education
Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launches Central University of Odisha Helpline “Bharosa” on Cognitive Emotional Rehabilitation Services for University Students of Odisha
To relieve the distress of student community during the troubled time of the COVID-19 pandemic, Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launched Central University of Odisha Helpline “Bharosa” and its Helpline Number 08046801010 through a virtual platform today in New Delhi. The helpline aims at providing Cognitive Emotional Rehabilitation Services to all University Students of Odisha. Odisha State Minister, Dept of Higher Education, Government of Odisha, Dr. Arun Kumar Sahoo was also present during the occasion. The programme was coordinated by Vice Chancellor, Prof I Ramabrahmam, Central University of Odisha.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said that the nation is going through a difficult phase due to the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic and appreciated the Government of India’s efforts to contain the epidemic under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi. He outlined the efforts of the Ministry of HRD in safeguarding the future of students. He emphasized on the steps taken with regard to the new academic calendar and virtual mode of education.
He asserted that the mental health concern of the students is of great importance and the Helpline launched by the Central University of Odisha is a great step towards that. He formally launched the Helpline and announced its number for the benefit of the students and their parents, amongst others. The Union Minister extended his best wishes to the dignitaries present at the Helpline launch function including the Vice Chancellors, Heads of Institutions, Registrars and Faculty of various institutions in Odisha. He also urged the Central and State Universities and other Institutions of Higher Education across the country to emulate the Bharosa initiative.
The Vice Chancellor of CUO Prof I Ramabrahmam highlighted the major features and services of the CUOs Helpline ‘Bharosa’ that seeks to address the problems of distressed students in the wake of COVID-19. He reiterated the fact that the CUO Helpline ‘Bharosa’ addresses the concerns of any student of any University in Odisha and added that over 400 calls have been received in the Pilot phase of the CUO Helpline. Shri Madhusudan Mishra, Collector and District Magistrate, Koraput was instrumental in Piloting the ‘Bharosa’ initiative of CUO before its formal launch today.
Dr. Arun Kumar Sahoo, Minister, Dept of Higher Education, Government of Odisha lauded the efforts of the Central University of Odisha and expressed hope that it will help the students in distress during COVID-19.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Tomar presented Rs.11 crore cheque as contribution by NCDC & Indian Potash Ltd towards PM CARES Fund
Institutions under the Agriculture Ministry regularly helping tackle Covid-19 threat
On the appeal of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the National Cooperative Development Corporation  and Indian Potash Limited have jointly contributed a sum of Rs.11 crore towards the PM CARES Fund in order to tackle the Covid-19 threat. NCDC Managing Director Shri Sundeep Kumar Nayak presented a cheque of Rs.11 crore to the Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar here today.
NCDC extends financial assistance to villagers through the cooperatives. In the last financial year it has extended loans to farmers and rural population to the tune of Rs.30,000 crore.
Companies and Institutions under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare have been making contributions in crores of Rupees to Shri Tomar towards the PM CARES Fund.
The Minister has himself contributed Rs.1 crore from the MPLADS Fund and one month of his salary. Besides, he has contributed Rs.50 lakh for related works in his constituency, Morena-Sheopur.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Dr. Harsh Vardhan to lead the Indian delegation in the Mission Innovation Ministerial
Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Environment, Forests and Climate Change Dr. Harsh Vardhan will be leading an Indian delegation for participation in the Mission Innovation Ministerial being held at Malmo-Sweden during 22-23 May, 2018.
Mission Innovation is a global platform of 23 countries and European Union aimed at accelerating clean energy innovations through enhanced Government funding, greater public-private sector partnership and enhanced global cooperation. India is founding member of Mission Innovation and part of the Steering Committee besides co-lead of innovation challenges on smart grids, off grids and sustainable bio-fuels. During the visit, Minister will show case India’s commitment to clean energy through research, development and demonstration programmes initiated in partnership with Mission Innovation countries in various domains of clean energy. The Minister will also explore opportunities for research cooperation with Mission Innovation countries for affordable clean energy innovations. Besides participation in Mission Innovation Ministerial, Dr Harsh vardhan will also hold bilateral meetings with his counter parts from Denmark, Sweden, Canada and European Commission.
Ministry of Finance
New Form 26AS is the Faceless hand-holding of the Taxpayers
The new Form 26AS is the faceless hand-holding of the taxpayers to e-file their income tax returns quickly and correctly. From this Assessment Year, taxpayers will see an improved Form 26AS which would carry some additional details on taxpayers’ financial transactions as specified in the Statement of Financial Transactions  in various categories.
It is stated that the information being received by the Income Tax Department from the filers of these specified SFTs is now being shown in Part E of Form 26AS to facilitate voluntary compliance, tax accountability and ease of e-filing of returns so that the same can be used by the taxpayer to file her or his income tax return  by calculating the correct tax liability in a feel-good environment. This would also bring in further transparency and accountability in the tax administration.
The earlier Form 26AS used to give information regarding tax deducted at source and tax collected at source relating to a PAN, besides certain additional information including details of other taxes paid, refunds and TDS defaults. But now, it will have SFTs to help the taxpayers recall all their major financial transactions so that they have a ready reckoner to enable them while filing the ITR.
It is further explained that the Department used to receive information like cash deposit/withdrawal from saving bank accounts, sale/purchase of immovable property, time deposits, credit card payments, purchase of shares, debentures, foreign currency, mutual funds, buy back of shares, cash payment for goods and services, etc. under Section 285BA of Income-tax Act, 1961 from “specified persons" like banks, mutual funds, institutions issuing bonds and registrars or sub-registrars etc., with regard to individuals having high-value financial transactions since the Financial Year 2016 onwards. Now, all such information under different SFTs will be shown in the new Form 26AS.
It is stated that the Form 26AS for any taxpayer, from now onwards, will display in part E of the Form, different fields such as, type of transaction, name of SFT filer, date of transaction, single/joint party transaction, number of parties, amount, mode of payment and remarks etc.
Furthermore, this would help the honest taxpayers with updated financial transactions while filing their returns, whereas it will desist those taxpayers who inadvertently conceal financial transactions in their returns. The new Form 26AS would also have information of transactions which used to be received up to Financial Year 2015-16 in the Annual Information Returns .
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Manual on Home Made Masks to prevent COVID-19
Click here to see PDF of Manual on Home Made Masks to prevent COVID-19
Ministry of Finance
Monthly Review of Accounts of Union Government of India upto the month of January, 2021 for the Financial Year 2020-21
The Monthly Account of the Union Government of India upto the month of January, 2021 has been consolidated and reports published.
The highlights are given below:-
The Government of India has received ₹12,83,314 crore  upto January, 2021 comprising of ₹ 11,01,855 crore Tax Revenue , ₹1,41,104 crore of Non Tax Revenue and ₹40,355 crore of Non Debt Capital Receipts. Non-Debt Capital Receipts consists of Recovery of Loans  and Disinvestment proceeds .
₹4,08,873 crore has been transferred to State Governments as Devolution of Share of Taxes by Government of India upto January, 2021.
Total Expenditure incurred by Government of India is ₹25,17,318 crore , out of which ₹21,55,210 crore is on Revenue Account and ₹3,62,108 crore is on Capital Account. Out of the Total Revenue Expenditure, ₹5,19,597 crore is on account of Interest Payments and ₹2,52,656 crore is on account of Major Subsidies.
Ministry of Power
Major Investments and Reforms in the Transmission sector in the country
The investment in the inter-State transmission sector in the country has been adequate to meet the requirement. All regional grids are synchronously connected and the power transmission capacity in Inter State Transmission Systems  is adequate for smooth flow of power resulting in “One Nation – One Grid – One Frequency”. At present, the inter-regional transmission capacity of the National Grid is about 1,12,250 MW . Considering the anticipated growth in generation and demand, sufficient transmission capacity has been planned in the country for evacuation of power from generating stations to the load centres including strengthening of existing transmission system.
During the year 2021-22, the Central Government has carried out following major reforms in the Transmission Sector :-
- Electricity  Rules, 2021 was issued on 01.10.2021. These Rules enable introduction of General Network Access, so that power sector utilities can have easier access to electricity transmission network across the country.
- Planning and approval process of ISTS was simplified. Dual consultation for ISTS planning at regional level has been done away with and powers to approve ISTS system up to Rs. 500 crores have been delegated to Central Transmission Utility and National Committee on Transmission.
- Central Transmission Utility  function has been separated from POWERGRID and Central Transmission Utility of India Ltd started function as CTU w.e.f. 1st April 2022.
- Standard Bidding Documents for selection of developers for ISTS project have been revised to promote ease of doing business for private developers in transmission sector, address concerns of developers on risk sharing, encourage competition in transmission, and facilitate timely completion of transmission lines. All these provisions would bring in more private investment in transmission sector.
This information was given by Shri R.K Singh, Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
PIB Headquarters
V.O.CHIDAMBARANAR PORT TRUST CELEBRATES 148th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF V.O.CHIDAMBARANAR
V.O.Chidambaranar Port Trust celebrated the 148thBirth Anniversary of V.O.Chidambaranaron 05.09.2019. Shri T.K. Ramachandran, I.A.S., Chairman, V.O.Chidambaranar Port Trust and Shri N. Vaiyapuri, Deputy Chairman, V.O.Chidambaranar Port Trust garlanded the statue of V.O.Chidambaranar in the Port premises.
Floral Tributes to the Legendary Freedom Fighter were also offered by
Shri T.K. Ramachandran, IAS., Chairman, Shri N. Vaiyapuri, Deputy Chairman, Shri C. Gopi Krishana, Trustee, DIG Aravind Sharma, Trustee, and Shri N. Sankaralingam, Trustee, Heads of the Departments, Officers and Staff of the Port.
In a formal function organished to pay tribute to V.O.Chidambaranar,
Shri Girish P. Naik, Secretary, V.O.Chidambaranar Port Trust welcomed the gathering. Chief Guest of the function, Dr. K. Subbulakshmi, Associate Professor in Tamil, A.P.C. Mahalakshmi College for Women, Tuticorin delivered an inspirational speech on the life of V.O.Chidambaranar. She highlighted his achievements as the Trade Union Leader and narrated his sufferings during his imprisonment by the British. She also exhorted the Children to follow the footsteps of the Great Patriot from this Region.
Guest of Honour, Shri N. Vaiyapuri, Deputy Chairman, V.O.Chidambaranar Port Trust in his address elucidated the labour welfare initiatives taken by V.O. Chidambaranar in uplifting the working environment of Coral Mill .
Shri T.K. Ramachandran, I.A.S., Chairman, V.O.Chidambaranar Port Trust, in his address recalled the Sacrifices made by V.O.Chidambaranar and his indomitable courage and relentless effort in starting the First Swadesi Shipping Company against the British.He also spelled out the remarkable qualities of V.O. Chidambaranar like ‘determination’, ‘self-confidence’, ‘Persuasion’, ‘Helping Tendency’, ‘Courage’, ‘Scholarly works’& above all ‘Sacrifice’ and requested everyone to follow the footsteps of the legendary freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaranar. He also stated that Port would take steps to establish a pavilion / Museum for V.O. Chidambaranar at the Information Centre in the Port’s premises.
Shri T.K. Ramachandran, I.A.S., Chairman, V.O.Chidambaranar Port Trust gave away the prizes to the winners of various Competitions conducted as part of the 148thBirth Anniversary of V.O.Chidambaranar. Cultural Programmes were also performed by Port school children.
A large number of School children, Teachers and Port Officials participated in the function commemorating the 148th Birth Anniversary of V. O. Chidambaranar.
The above details were released in the Press Release by
(V. O. Chidambaranar Port Trust, today.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
MoHUA sanctions 122.69 lakh houses under PMAY-U ‘Housing for All’ Mission for providing all-weather pucca houses to urban beneficiaries
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is implementing Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban  – ‘Housing for All’ Mission, since 25.06.2015 for giving Central assistance to States / Union Territories  for providing all-weather pucca houses to all eligible urban beneficiaries. Ministry provides different levels of Central assistance to States / UTs for each beneficiary under following four verticals of the Scheme:
|
|
S. No.
|
|
Vertical
|
|
Central assistance to each beneficiary
|
|
1.
|
|
Beneficiary-led individual house construction/ enhancement 
|
|
₹1.50 lakh
|
|
2.
|
|
Affordable Housing in Partnership 
|
|
₹1.50 lakh
|
|
3.
|
|
“In-situ” Slum Redevelopment 
|
|
₹ 1.00 lakh
|
|
4.
|
|
Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme 
|
|
|
|
Category

|
|
Loan Amount
|
|
Interest subsidy
|
|
Economically Weaker Section 
|
|
up to ₹6 lakhs
|
|
6.5 %
|
|
Low Income Group 
|
|
Middle Income Group-I 
|
|
up to ₹9 lakhs
|
|
4%
|
|
Middle Income Group-II 
|
|
up to ₹12 lakhs
|
|
3%Based on the project proposals submitted by States / UTs, a total of 122.69 lakh houses have been sanctioned during the Mission period i.e. till 31 March 2022. Against the sanctioned houses, 101.94 lakh have been grounded for construction; of which 61.15 lakh are completed / delivered to beneficiaries since inception of the Scheme. During the last three years 33.25 lakh houses have been completed under different verticals of the Scheme.
Amount of Central assistance sanctioned and released for construction of houses including completed houses under different verticals of the Scheme are as under:
|
|
Component
|
|
Central assistance Sanctioned

|
|
Central assistance Released

|
|
Beneficiary-led individual house construction / enhancement

|
|
1,10,135.85
|
|
57,651.25
|
|
Affordable Housing in Partnership 
|
|
31,675.17
|
|
11,792.18
|
|
In-situ Slum Redevelopment 
|
|
6,520.82
|
|
2,591.99
|
|
Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme 
|
|
55,095.00
|
|
48,095.00
|
|
Total
|
|
2,03,426.83
|
|
1,20,130.42
This information was given by the Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Kaushal Kishore, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Joint Declaration of Intent  between India and Germany on cooperation in the field of Health
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval for signing a Joint Declaration of Intent  between India and Germany on cooperation in the field of Health. The JDI was signed on 1st June, 2017.
The JDI covers the following areas of cooperation :-
a) postgraduate education;
b) training of medical personnel;
c) pharmaceuticals and pharmacoeconomics; and
d) health economics.
A Working Group will be set up to further elaborate the details of cooperation and to oversee the implementation of this JDI.
Cabinet
Cabinet gives in-principle approval for setting up a new Major Port at Vadhavan in Maharashtra
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its 'in-principle' approval for setting up a Major Port at Vadhavan near Dahanu in Maharashtra.
Total cost of the project is likely to be Rs.65,544.54 crore.
Vadhavan port will be developed on "land lord model". ASpecial Purpose Vehicle  will be formed with Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust  as the lead partner with equity participation equal to or more than 50% to implement the project. The SPV will develop the port infrastructure including reclamation, construction of breakwater, besides establishing connectivity to the hinterland. All the business activities would be undertaken under PPP mode by private developers.
The position of JN Port, the biggest container port in India is 28thin the world with a traffic of 5.1 million TEUs . Even after the completion of 4th terminal at JN Port with a capacity increase upto10 million TEUs by 2023, it will stand as the 17thlargest container port in the world. With the development of Vadhavan port, India will break into the countries with top 10 container ports in the world.
Maharashtra has India's largest container port at JNPT which caters to the hinterland of Maharashtra, North Karnataka, Telangana and secondary hinterland of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, NCR, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. There is a need for a deep draft port that will accommodate the largest Container Ships in the world and also cater to the spill over traffic from JNPT port once its planned capacity of 10 million TEUs is fully utilized. JNPT and Mundra, the two largest container handling ports of the country , have drafts of 15 M and 16 M respectively, while the world's largest container handling modern deep draft ports require a draft of 18M-20M. The Vadhavan port has a natural draft of about 20 meters close to the shore, making it possible for it to handle bigger vessels at the port. Development of Vadhavan port will enable call of container vessels of 16,000-25,000 TEUs capacity, giving advantages of economies of scale & reducing logistics cost.
The ever increasing size of container ships makes it imperative that a deep draft container port in West Coast of India is developed. Increasing containerization of cargo in the wake of value-added manufacturing sector makes it important to prepare our port infrastructure for handling value-added import and export to facilitate manufacturing activity. Container traffic in the JNPT hinterland is expected to grow from 4.5 MTEUs currently to 10.1 MTEUs by 2022-25 when JNPT's potential will be fully exhausted. The demand for container traffic will further accelerate after the plans for improving logistic infrastructure fructify and the 'Make in India' push drives greater exports and manufacture sourcing to India.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to leave tonight for Tokyo to participate in state funeral of former Japanese PM, Shinzo Abe
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi will be leaving to Tokyo, Japan tonight to participate in the state funeral of former Japanese PM, Shinzo Abe.
In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said;
"I am traveling to Tokyo tonight to participate in the State Funeral of former PM Shinzo Abe, a dear friend and a great champion of India-Japan friendship."
"I will be conveying heartfelt condolences to Prime Minister Kishida and Mrs. Abe on behalf of all Indians. We will continue working to further strengthen India-Japan relations as envisioned by Abe San. @kishida230"
Ministry of Defence
INDIAN NAVY STEPS UP PREPARATIONS FOR SAGAR PARIKRAMA IV
The Indian Navy signalled the formal commencement of its preparations for Sagar Parikrama IV at Goa on 27 Aug 23. As part of the same, the Ocean Sailing Node signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Cdr Abhilash Tomy , the ace circumnavigator and Golden Globe Race hero, to be Mentor and Coach to the two volunteer women officers, Lt Cdr Dilna and Lt Cdr Roopa, who will form the team undertaking the circumnavigation sailing expedition on Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Tarini next year.
The Memorandum of Agreement was signed in the presence of VAdm Krishna Swaminathan, Controller of Personnel Services and Vice President, Indian Naval Sailing Association  and RAdm Rajesh Dhankhar, Commandant Naval War College. A large gathering of naval personnel was also present at the event.
VAdm Swaminathan congratulated the two women officers for their impressive ocean sailing feats and wished them the very best for their preparation for Sagar Parikrama IV. He also thanked Cdr Abhilash Tomy on behalf of the Indian Navy for his steadfast support to its ocean sailing endeavour.
Over the coming months, the two officers will train rigorously for the challenging mission under Cdr Tomy’s tutelage, including undertaking several short and long sailing voyages in the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. Cdr Tomy would also be mentoring participants of other sailing expeditions and share his experiences at the training establishments through motivational talks with the trainees.
Sagar Parikrama IV will be a never-attempted-before venture and a significant step in India’s ocean sailing enterprise.